The stretch of National Highway 44 regarded as the lifeline of supply of Barak Valley, Mizoram, Tripura and East Manipur is now being threatened by slow but steady erosion caused by river Barak near Panchgram where the only industry of this valley, Cachar Paper Mill, is located. According to Sinlung, the Border Road Organisation signboard along the highway indicates that the area in question is sinking, most probably due to inside seepage by the river. However, though vehicles have been cautioned to drive carefully in this stretch, no action plan has been taken up till now to contain the ever-increasing erosion. Even though the monsoons have set in and the same is likely to continue till August, there is no semblance of seriousness on the part of the BRTF to adopt any preventive measures. And unless the erosion is checked, water seepage will continue, submerging the highway which will ultimately affect the movement of vehicles adversely. Judging from the manner in which erosion has taken in its stride the villages along the highway, it is feared that NH 44 might soon be washed away by the turbulent river in the near future.